For all Applications or petitions to construct facilities identified in 980 CMR 15.01(2), the Applicant shall assess for each Proposed Site or Route and each Noticed Alternative Site or Route, if any, whether the SGA intersects any Burdened Area pursuant to 980 CMR 15.04. This is a threshold analysis that determines whether the Applicant shall continue with its CIA. The Applicant conducts this assessment by doing the following:

1. (1) Identification of the Project SGA. For each Proposed Site or Route or Noticed Alternative Site or Route, the Applicant shall use the following Facility Boundary and radial distances from the Facility Boundary to determine the SGA:

   1. (a) Facility Boundary. The SGA shall rely on the outermost boundary of the Project site (such as a Project building or other structures, or the outermost areas of construction activity or disturbance), or the Project fence line. For linear projects, or project components, such as transmission lines or pipelines, the Facility Boundary shall be the edge of the right-of-way;

   2. (b) Specific Geographical Area. For Projects that include multiple facility types (such as transmission and distribution lines, and a battery energy storage system), the SGA is determined using the Facility Boundary and the radial distance from the Facility Boundary applicable to each component of the Project, as described in the table below.

      Facility Type

      Radial Distance from Facility

      (or component of a Facility)

      Boundary

      Transmission and Distribution Line (part of an LCTDIF or SCTDIF) 1/4 Mile

      Clean Energy Storage Facility

      (LCESF or SCESF) 1 Mile

      Substation

      (Part of an LCTDIF or SCTDIF) 1/2 Mile

      Ground-Mounted Photovoltaics

      (LCEGF or SCEGF) 1/2 Mile

      Onshore Wind Facility or Anaerobic Digester (LCEGF or

      1 Mile

      SCEGF)

      1 Mile (no Air permit)

      Liquefied Natural Gas Facility (§ 69J) 2 Miles (non-Major Air Permit)

      Gas Pipeline (§ 69J) 1 Mile

      2 Miles (non-Major Air Permit)

      Fossil Generating Facility (§ 69J¼) 5 Miles (Major Air Permit)

      1 Mile (no Air permit)

      Gas Compressor Station

      2 Miles (non-Major Air Permit)

      (§ 69J, as part of a Gas Pipeline)

      5 Miles (Major Air Permit)

2. (2) Determine Whether the SGA Intersects with a Burdened Area. The Applicant shall determine whether the SGA of the Project intersects with one or more Burdened Areas.

3. (3) Implications of the Burdened Area Assessment. If the SGA intersects with a Burdened Area, the Applicant shall comply with the requirements of 980 CMR 15.06. If the Project SGA does not intersect a Burdened Area, the Applicant shall:

   1. (1) conclude the CIA and complete 980 CMR 15.09; and
   2. (2) pursuant to 980 CMR 15.10, determine whether a Site Suitability Report is required, and, if so, include a Site Suitability Report in the Project's Application to the Board. Applicants should refer to the CIA Report Template for detailed information regarding the preparation of a CIA Report. Applicants should refer to the Site Suitability Template for detailed information regarding preparation of a Site Suitability Report.